Results:

Energy intake from a buffet meal during saline or ghrelin infusion indicated there was a 31% increase in energy intake in patients during the ghrelin infusion, and greater meal appreciation (by 28 +/- 8%). No side effects of the ghrelin therapy were observed. No changes were reported in levels of insulin, glucose, or triglycerides. Patients recorded greater food consumption on the days they received the ghrelin.

Conclusions:

Further investigations are needed before conclusions can be drawn.

Limitations:

The study had a small sample size.

Ghrelin had been administered to only 100 patients worldwide at the time of this investigation.